Natyasutra Online

Kathakali is a classical dance form of Kerala, demanding long years of training. It is believed to have evolved from Ramanattam, another classical art form composed by Kottarakkara Thampuran, incorporating the techniques of some of the major ritual art forms of Kerala. The characters of Kathakali do not speak. The story is presented through songs from the background. This makes Kathakali music a very important component of the art form. The text of Kathakali songs is known as Attakkatha sahithyam. Chenda, Maddalam,Chengila and Elaththalam are the instruments used with Kathakali music.

Kalyanasougandhikam
Expand the horizons of your audio-visual experience to accommodate the unmatched resplendency of Kathakali.  This video is about a story Kalyanasougandhikam, a chapter from the epic Mahabharata, depicting the travails of Bheema who goes in search of Sougandhika flowers at the behest of his beloved wife Panchali. On the way, he meets his half-brother Hanuman and the story unfolds in the unique dramatic style of Kathakali.

The artistes are Inchakattu Ramachandran Pillai (Bheeman), Kalamandalam Ratheesan (Hanuman) and Margi Vijayakumar (Panchali).

Vocal- Kottakkal Madhu, Vengeri Narayanan
Maddalam - Kalanilayam Babu
Chenda - Margi Krishnadas

Injakkattu Ramachandran Pillai
Injakkattu Ramachandran Pillai was trained by the renowned Kathakali maestro Mankulam Vishnu Namboothiri in Gurukula style. He is a specialist in Pacha and Kathi type of characters. He is the recipient of the prestigious Kumar Gandharva Award and Kalamandalam Award. Injakkattu Ramachandran Pillai is now working as the Principal of Margi Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram.

Kalamandalam Ratheesan
Kalamandalam Ratheesan, son of renowned Kathakali artiste Oyoor Kochu Govindan started his training in Kathakali at the tender age of six from his father and later joined Kalamandalam for further training. He was awarded the National Scholarship by the Government of India and had the opportunity to train under a great teacher, the late Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair. He joined Margi in 1984 and has performed in almost all countries in Europe and Asia.

Margi Vijayakumar
Margi Vijayakumar learned Kathakali from 1975 to 1983 at Margi. He was trained by renowned artistes like Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Mankulam Vishnu Namboothiri, Inchakkattu Ramachandran Pillai and Thonnakal Peethambaran. Margi Vijayakumar, an expert in Sthree Veshas (female characters), is currently working in Margi as teacher and has given performances in many countries.